With only two weeks until training camp, one of the premier free agents in 2019 is putting himself in play.

The Athletic’s duo of Jon Krawcynski and Shams Charania broke the news on Saturday afternoon that star guard Jimmy Butler will have an “honest” conversation about his future with Minnesota’s front office.

Jimmy Butler will meet with Tom Thibodeau and Scott Layden on Monday to "have honest conversations about the All-Star's future with the team," sources tell @TheAthleticMIN. Story upcoming.

Making matters more complicated for the Lakers, however, is that they can’t trade any of the veterans they signed to new contracts until mid-December. However, any deal for Butler involving the Lakers would likely have to include a younger asset such as Kyle Kuzma or Josh Hart.

Ironically enough, the Lakers move two weeks ago to waive Luol Deng hampered their ability to make a Butler trade since the salaries in a trade for Butler ($18.69million) would have to matchup. Deng, of course, eventually signed with the Timberwolves after clearing waivers.

However, if the reports about the Paul George and Kawhi Leonard trade talks are any indication, the Lakers have shown little-to-no interest in even moving players like Hart and Kuzma, let alone Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram. It may be difficult for the Lakers to land Butler before the season begins, but their presence and the rumors he is interested in moving to L.A. could hamper the Wolves in trade talk.

But even though Butler is unlikely to be a Laker by the start of the season, his potential departure would be a major blow to a potential playoff team in Minnesota. As Russell Westbrook undergoes surgery and the Butler drama rages on, the war of attrition in the West is already underway and the Lakers are winning simply by doing nothing.

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